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Yes Adriana, I need to go back and have more practice so I will be practicing some techniques more, particularly the writing with a brush (hopefully life doesn't take over and boycott the watercolour enthusiasm). How long can we access the class for after it finishes? It is difficult to download the videos, I have only managed to download the first one as the computer usually stops somewhere in the lengthy process and gives up.
__________________ ~Tanja~ My gallery 'A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.'
Prov. 11:25
Tanja, there's a note under the videos. I believe it's permanent access.
PLEASE NOTE: The video files are quite large. If you are able to watch the videos within the lesson, save space on your computer and skip downloading the video files. You can always return to this lesson and watch the videos here.
I got an error message yesterday saying I had too many cookies and nothing would load and i could see no photos. Finally googled the error message and i deleted my cookies on my end and then it started working again.
I'm enjoying seeing everyone's cards. We're all doing the same techniques and doing the same projects but expressing ourselves with different colors, tweaking the designs to our personal preferences and styles, etc. Very fun!
I think I just misunderstood what the class would encompass. Now I understand it is simple watercoloring that can be done on cards, not meant to teach watercoloring basics. But I�m still really happy to be taking it. I�m learning things I will use (and possibly some that will continue to challenge me, lol).
One thing others have shared and I�m finally understanding: paper makes a huge difference. I�ve tried the Canson paper so many times but my work often looks TERRIBLE on it. My attempts on the bee paper look so much better. The color flows, mixes and settles differently and in a way that I am finding easier. If you are having a hard time, it just might be the paper.
I think basics would/should be taught in order to be able to create simple watercolored cards. But it could be our definitions of basics are different - which would be 100% normal?
For example, I think basics - including for card making - would include demonstrating less or more water in a video. It could take three minutes. And would include an exercise or suggestion.
And *so* agree about paper. I think I posted about someone struggling in the on-line class I took, and I asked which paper she was using. It was the same paper I mistakenly grabbed for an exercise and was fighting with - and didn�t understand why. I realized it was a different paper than I had been using. Donated!
Beth, I wondered if it was just me struggling with the flow on the paper! Especially with the letters! Was never thinking it was the paper due to it being recommended for the class!
Going to try another type for the landscape and then one using the Canson paper!
She doesn't seem to be teaching very much about theory, which I was hoping she'd do. In fact, at times she seems to be learning as she's going along. She makes a lot of mistakes (although I like that she leaves them in), and I don't always like the way her cards turn out. Don't get me wrong. I am enjoying the class, and I'm glad I took it. I just get the feeling that watercoloring isn't really something that she's studied very much. I do appreciate the tips and ideas, though.
Hi Jeanette, thank you for the comments on my cards! I appreciate it!
I feel the same way you do about the course. Not liking so many of the cards, but its a learning process, and then in the end I will give them away!!
Good kids cards!!
I have the other water color class too that I signed up for some time ago called Watercolor Backgrounds, don't think I ever finished the course.
I think Splitcoaststamping has taught me more about inks and watercolors then any other place. Between DTGD and Falliday Fest I have learned so much, and of course the different tutorials.
But one thing that is so nice is that we all are together and can talk about what we are doing in the course!!
Beth, I wondered if it was just me struggling with the flow on the paper! Especially with the letters! Was never thinking it was the paper due to it being recommended for the class!
Going to try another type for the landscape and then one using the Canson paper!
If you have several types of wc paper, it can be illuminating to watercolor the same thing - a shape, anything - on all types. And toss in some heavy cardstock or Bristol paper too, just for kicks.
I attended a stamping workshop shortly after I started stamping, and the instructor included 5 or 6 small pieces of different kinds of papers in our class kit so we could stamp the same image on each one to see the differences. Great exercise!
Thanks, ladies! I really like galaxy cards. I made one last year following another one of Kristina's techniques. It was a little different from this one. This one was easier.
Hi - I just uploaded my second card for day 1 - the patchwork card. Before I forget - Jeanette I love your galaxy / fabulous.
I’ve read everyone’s comments and agree - I also thought it would be more a technique class. However - I think we’re actually doing “technique” kind of subliminally. The shapes we’re painting can be very generalized to other cards. And honestly I realize I like the focus on “product”. I’ve had these watercolors sitting under my bed for over a year now not knowing what to do with them. Although I’m an old slowpoke, and still on day 1 when day 5 is finished - I’m thrilled I already have two cards I can use and that I think aren’t bad at all. I’m totally new to this and I think Kristina cleverly worked out how even a very beginner who has trouble drawing a straight line (like me) can have some pretty cards at the end of the day. I really wasn’t hopeful of getting anything useable out of this class - thought I’d just learn some stuff so that maybe one day - after years of practice - I would create something half decent.
Of course probably the best thing was Beth getting us to do the class together. It’s so fun and motivating and a much better learning experience to do this together - and so great to see everyone else’s work and get even more ideas.
So this is a great experience for me - thanks to Beth and Carla and all of you. I’m going to keep slowly getting through this - happy if any other slow pokes want to join me! I think it will motivate me to do another water color class on theory - BUT - let me get through this first!
Sorry - PS - just want to make sure that people understand - my comments are just about my experience of the class and are in no way intended to discount other people’s comments or reflections.
I�ve read everyone�s comments and agree - I also thought it would be more a technique class. However - I think we�re actually doing �technique� kind of subliminally. The shapes we�re painting can be very generalized to other cards.
Stefany
Yes! Actually, the exercises we did on day one are the kinds of things I�ve seen in beginner videos. The grid card (with all the squares) is a smaller version of an exercise I saw on one site - start with a color full strength then add water coming in from the other side. The circles gives us a nice opportunity to see how colors blend. Same with the large letters.
I thought it was cool (and helpful) of her to include the little exercise on getting to know your paints in that intro video. I think it was day three? Seems like a good one for also getting to know your other supplies since you can do that with different brush sizes and on different papers.
Something that may help others who are new to this, like me... there are videos that show how to make mixing charts for your paints. It�s really helpful so you can make the color you want, but just making it is a lot of practice with the tools, amount of water, etc.
Here�s one: https://goo.gl/images/198Drj
I just did the first card from day 2 yesterday, and will do the second card from day 2 tomorrow. I’m just slowly making my way through. I only seem able to manage one card a day. I have a very bad back and that’s all it lets me do. I also take my husband to Dialysis three days a week and that takes up the whole day. Everybody has something or other going on in their lives. I am really having a lot of fun with it though - every card I do (4 now) I think looks like garbage at first, but then they kind of grow on me - I have them all lined up on the TV stand. Once I’ve persevered and finished this class (in another month probably) I’d like to do an online class focused more on technique - and flowers! This is the first online class I’ve done and it really worked out great for me because it’s so hard for me to get around or get to someplace and do a class - the time flexibility plus doing it at your own pace really works out great for me. Also - the best thing - doing it with a group here and sharing projects makes it so motivating. I hope Beth or Carla or somebody (maybe me?) can find another class of interest in the future.
Stefany
I am so far behind....I did two cards from day 2, one card from day 3 and I have been ridiculously busy since! I can�t wait to get to day 4!
I was on a roll then had to stop to concentrate on preparing for an upcoming (hopefully) promotion interview. I don't want the job so I'm nervous I'll bomb the interview. I'm only going for it for the substantial pay increase in preparation for retirement in just of 3 years. I WILL get back to it though. The little bit of success I had makes me want try those cute animal faces.
You can come back and post here as long as you�d like. People revive threads that haven�t been posted on in literally years! Sometimes they don�t realize it - they�ve done a search and it pops up and they post.
You just might want to save the URL to this thread or look at threads you�ve subscribed to (which you automatically did by posting) to find it again if it�s quiet here for a while.
I have done almost nothing myself. I was in an art journaling class today, even though I don�t art journal :shock: and will be in another class with a visiting instructor (Kae Pea of RubberMoon Stamps!) Friday, with lots of stuff to do in between. And the Dare to Get Dirty challenge begins soon. So I�m with you!
I haven�t even taken a good look at more than a few cards that were posted in our gallery, and want to do that asap.
I’m going to keep posting my cards in the gallery as I complete each one, and will continue to comment here if I have something to say. You never know when something you do or say may be of use to someone else.
I haven't completed any more of the K. Werner Watercolor sessions. However, I just signed up for Studio Calico Sketch Your World classes. I'm looking forward to the basics!
Great going, Carla! Since you don�t have the cards to watercolor, if you just skip ahead to look at them you can easily make your own with waterproof markers. And they don�t have to be the same shapes - Olya says that.
While we watercolored throughout the class, the class was also about drawing - sketching �our� world. For me that meant a mug, the turquoise and lime green metal trashcans on the deck that hold birdseed, etc. And eventually we did a building.
But if you�re not interested in drawing - I wasn�t so much, or not enough to practice! - I think you still may get something out of the watercoloring part. I think I mentioned that Olya uses a waterbrush throughout, since she sketches and watercolors when she�s out and about, at home and traveling. So I hope that doesn�t throw you off. Or you could try one. I became used to it and liked it a lot.
I went to a watercoloring class yesterday using tube watercolors, given by Kae Pea (Kristen Powers of RubberMoon Stamps). It was very different than using watercolor in pans. I�m still in watercoloring kindergarten but would like to improve.
Enjoy!
Beth
P.S. One technique we learned yesterday that helped me - using a �thirsty brush� to remove color/water. We dabbed the brush on a paper towel and went over the area. I used it to lighten an area that I wanted darker in one place and lighter in another. It was like erasing though not all the way.
I've used waterbrushes before. I created a little travel kit using an Altoid tin with old eye shadow tins. I have some tube watercolors and was able to fit about 10 colors in the tin. I have a small watercolor pad, stamped some images with india ink and tucked in two waterbrushes. It has worked well for me! I'm strictly self taught and need the basics.
A good friend is an amazing water color artist and teaches. I'll take a class this fall when things calm down for me. Here's her site, Jill Erickson Watercolors so you too can be amazed. The Koi is my favorite.
Hi watercolor enthusiasts, I finally had a chance to work on some of the assignments, ad I've posted them to the simply_watercolor gallery. I am enjoying the different interpretations of the lessons, ad I can wait to try some more. So far my favorites are the landscape with the clouds and the galaxy sky. I think the main thing I learned so far is just have courage and give it a try!
__________________ Jo AnnMy SCS gallery / my blogThe cure for everything is salt water - sweat, tears or the sea~Isak Dinesen FS 776
Carla, lovely watercolors. The one with salt made me smile. I like watercolors that are obviously watercolory (made up word) like “Fuschia Blossom” (the movement of colors!) and the background of “Totem on Puget sound.” IOW, watercolors that aren’t reminiscent of acrylic or oil paintings.
Oh, yeah, I forgot to add that for this card, I used some cheap Michael's kids' watercolor paper. 
